Under the Boardwalk, A Ukulele Love Story tells the story of how a small house party in an out of the way town in California grows into the biggest ukulele club in the world. It is also the story of how a small instrument makes a long journey from Portugal to Hawaii to the mainland, lands in people’s hearts, and creates a uniquely Hawaiian-American musical tradition that is currently experiencing a world wide revival.
The Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz and the ukulele instrument itself are the two main characters of the film. Their stories are intercut, as both overcome humble beginnings to meet with unlikely success.
The two stories add up to a tale of love and community that develops through the celebration and joy people find making music together.
Scroll down for the blog and to enjoy outtakes and updates on the film.
If you want to book a screening, please contact us.
- San Luis Obispo International Film Festival March 11, 2012
- Anacapa Ukuleles, Ventura CA March 13, 2012
- Temple Beth El, Aptos, CA April 14, 2012
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Ma April 22, 2012
- Beatniks, Worcester, MA April 26, 2012
- Santa Cruz Film Festival, May 19 2012
- New York Uke Fest, Manhattan, June 7, 2012
Nina Koocher
Producer/Director
Nina Koocher recently completed How Much to Remember: One Family’s Conversation with History which is currently in educational distribution.
Her earlier film, Keeping the Faith, won Best of Category at the San Francisco International Film Festival, the Sumner Redstone Award, and was an award winner at the Sinking Creek Film Festival. It screened at the Tyneside Film Festival, Newcastle on Tyne, England and at the Women in the Director’s Chair Festival in Chicago.
Ms. Koocher was cinematographer on Ihr Zent Frei(You Are Free), a short documentary nominated for an Academy Award. She worked as an archival researcher for Louis Massiah on the PBS documentary Eyes on the Prize.
Currently Ms. Koocher is at work on a documentary about the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz, CA.
Ms. Koocher also enjoys photographing her teenage son, Josh.
Lynn Swanger
Co-Producer
Lynn Swanger has extensive administrative experience at the University of Minnesota and at Harvard University. She has also worked in school classrooms, libraries and for two non-profits, Planned Parenthood and Senior Outreach.
More recently, she has discovered the special pleasures of the ukulele, and has been a member of the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz for nine years.
Lynn has loved film since seeing Bambi at four years old, which made her the exact right age to become a devoted fan of Truffaut, Fellini and Bergman.
Julie Hendriks……Stills
Donna Thomas…..Banner Illustration
- “Santa Cruz’s Ukulele Club ready for its close-up” – Santa Cruz Sentinel
- “Peace, More Ukes” – Santa Cruz Weekly
- “Special Event this Week: Under the Boardwalk: A Ukelele Love Story” – Good Times Santa Cruz
- “Mary McCaslin: Long live the Uke” – Santa Cruz Sentinel
- Tom Bingham, Music History Professor – Generally Eclectic Review
Viewer’s responses
-“Bravissima! the best “feel good” movie I’ve seen in ages!
I loved the way you wove the various threads of the story – the historical, the musical, the cultural, the social – together so seamlessly. And both the photography and the sound were exquisite.
For me, you captured the sheer, unabashed joy of making music better than anyone … …clearly, “Under the Boardwalk” deserves a wider audience!” Sharon B. San Jose, CA Music instructor, San Jose State College
-“Dear Ms. Ukie Mostest, I luv your film and Santa Cruz; I already have my copy…this DVD is a gift for a friend in Santa Cruz… the BEST Ukulele film/DVD on the planet.” Allen B. Deerfield, FL
-“I’ve watched it twice and I can’t wait to show it to my friends. It’s a wonderful film, filled with empathy, good music and warm humor.” Lewis S. Boston, MA Art appraiser
-Bravo. We laughed and cried.
Thank you for creating such a wonderful portrait, not only of the ukulele and its romance on us all but, this stands as a great reminder that we can strenghthen the fabric of our communities thru song, music is the great healer, it is a bridge builder like no other!” Lil Rev WI Musician
Congratulations - it’s a great thing you have done for music in general and for the Ukulele in particular. John K. Hendersonville, Tn.
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